Pi'ra-cy, n.

n. [L. Lat. piratia, Gr. πειρατεία. Cf. Lat. piratica, It. & Sp. pirateria, Fr. piraterie.]

1. The act or crime of a pirate; robbery.
2. (Law.) The act, practice, or crime, of robbing on the high seas; robbery on the high seas; the taking of property from others by open violence, with intent to steal, and without lawful authority, on the sea; — a crime answering to robbery on land.
3. Infringement of the law of copyright by publishing the writings of other men without permission.